Gray's Almhouses, Taunton

As I was in urgent need of new golf shoes and we wanted a new lamp for the dining room, we headed down to Taunton this morning.

These almshouses are believed to be the first brick building in Somerset, having been completed in 1635. They were commissioned by local cloth merchant Robert Gray, who made his fortune in London, and built next door to the house he was born in. Originally housing 10 elderly, poor ladies an extension was later added to house men.

The two coats of arms are Gray's own and those of the Merchant Taylor's, of whom he was a member.

The almshouses are still in use today, having been converted into 9 sheltered homes for retired people. You wouldn't normally get such a clear view of them as they stand at the end of the High Street but the street has been closed to traffic to aid social distancing and not many pedestrians walk this far up.

We took advantage of the Chancellor's meal deal again and pubs and restaurants looked to be doing good business again. We did good business as well, getting both shoes and lamp.